Since August, it has been news that Spain decided to halt the purchase of F-35 planes from the United States. The reaction in Washington, particularly by President Donald Trump, was uncomfortable. There are expectations, fueled by speculation over the past two months, regarding the next step of the Spanish government.
So far, there appears to be a decision about the purchase of those F35 fighters, that is, the press is beginning to learn which new country Spain will ally with.
The decision points towards Turkey, reports El Economista. Spain is considering purchasing the new fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighters, scheduled for service entry starting in 2030.
In Turkey, with the KAAN, they want to have “an air superiority fighter to replace the F-16s.” The KAAN project, led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), represents Turkey’s bid to join the select group of nations capable of producing fifth-generation combat aircraft, reports Galaxia Militar.
This aircraft “seeks to offer stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and superior maneuverability.”
The Turkish Aerospace company describes the KAAN as “a fifth-generation multirole fighter offering superior capabilities both for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.” The Galaxia Militar site reports that the KAAN, “which aims to replace Turkey’s fleet of 240 F-16s by the 2030s,” was first presented six years ago.
The KAAN’s specifications “are limited,” but it is expected to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, they add.
The medium believes the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 27,860 kg.
The KAAN entered service in March 2023 and flew for the first time eleven months later.
It is planned that the Turkish Air Force will receive the first 20 KAAN Block 10 aircraft by 2028.
It is also highlighted that the plane has an elegant and angular design intended to minimize radar detection.
Galaxia Militar reports that initially, the plane will be powered by two General Electric F-110-GE129 engines, which also power the Turkish F-16C Block 50s, with a thrust of 26,000 kg.
What does this purchase of fighters in Turkey mean for Spain?
For Spain, “its purchase would serve as a complementary model to the current Eurofighter fleet of the Air and Space Army. It would allow time until the new sixth-generation plane is ready: the FCAS,” analyzes El Economista.
If the purchase is confirmed, it would be a second rapprochement between the two countries known this year.
In May, El Español reported that Spain needed to renew the F-5s, based in Talavera la Real, since “they have accumulated decades of service as a training aircraft prior to pilots moving on to the Eurofighter and F-18.”
Military authorities were evaluating, in that direction, what the Turkish TAI Hürjet plane offers.
Source: https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/espana-con-la-mira-puesta-en-cazas-turcos-de-quinta-generacion-luego-de-cancelar-compra-de-f-35-de-estados-unidos-nota/
